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Sir Guy, entering the hall, stood stock-still and looked at her. He never thought he would fear a woman, but he feared this one. And the fear was worse because there was no outward reason for it. Lady Alinor was not large or overpowering; she was feminine in every way, beautiful, really; she was not vicious nor unreasonable. It was simply not possible for him to disobey her, and that was odd enough and fearful enough. A man did not obey a woman unless he loved her. Sir Guy looked at Alinor's exquisite face and shuddered. It would take a far stronger man than he to love her. Not the least of his admiration for Lord Ian was that the man was well able to stand up against his wife. |
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He remembered what Ian had said to him about the part he had played in the tourney. He had answered roundly enough. He did not fear Lord Ian, even though he freely acknowledged Ian could cut him to pieces in ten minutes' fighting. They had discussed the matter of his hatred against the king, and Ian had explained why it was necessary to remain faithful in spite of John's open and obvious attempts to harm them both. The logic had appealed to Guy, and a heavy burden had been lifted from him. He did not analyze it too carefully. It was enough that he was able to live with himself in peace. He did not need to know that Ian had provided him with a rationalization for ceasing to pursue a hopeless vendetta that could end only in his death. What Ian offered him permitted him to live a normal life, without guilt. There was a nobility about setting aside one's own right to vengeance for the good of the realm at large. It soothed the soul. |
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They had been in perfect agreement until Lord Ian asked for Guy's promise not to obey Alinor in ventures of that kind again. He had been forced to refuse and, when Ian had pressed him for a reason, had shrugged helplessly and said that he did not believe he was capable of keeping such a promise. To his surprise, Lord Ian had betrayed neither suspicion nor anger. He |
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